Recent Storm Damage Posts

What will the 2019 Hurricane Season look like?

Hurricanes are predictable, more so that tornadoes or straight-line winds. We all know that storms are created to inflict damage, and it seems that we can’t escape this fury. However, when storm damage occurs, and if your home was not protected from this damage, it’s best to get a professional out to your home as soon as possible. Some storm damage can cause complete destruction while other storm damage can be subtle. To totally protect your valuables, it’s a great idea to have a game plan.

In our previous blogs we have discussed this issue and we have given you some ideas on how to plan for what hasn’t happened yet, by look back at what has happened, like the hurricanes Florence and Michael. Florence plowed through North and South Carolina bringing the ocean into residential areas, while Michael sawed a path up and out of the US with blunt force trauma.

If you are in an area where you are 90% sure that a hurricane will, at some point, be a reality, why not go ahead and have a game plan. The same with tornadoes. If you live in an area that has been touched by tornadoes, you can rest assured, another may touch down while you are there.

Planning for a Hurricane – You know that hurricanes bring wind and rain, and it’s safe to assume that if you sustain damage to your home, you will lose your belongings. There are many steps you can take when assuming or planning for a hurricane. First, watch the weather. Second, ensure you have proper sealant around doors and windows before the hurricane. Finally, keep photos and other heirlooms on the top floor of your house by default.

Planning for a Tornado – Tornadoes are very destructive storms that rip through an area like a buzz saw, leaving often nothing but a brief memory of what was there. Some tornadoes, however, simply rip off the roof. To be prepared for a tornado’s damage, the first word of advice is to have a plan, a shelter, or a specified room to go to. If the storm damage includes your roof being taken off, then you will need to be at the lowest floor.

Storm damage comes in many forms, and winter storms are included in this mix.The accumulation of snow on various surfaces can cause damage that seems just as bad.

If your home has been exposed to storm damage, please let our professionals take a look.

Spring Storms bring Storm Damage

We have had a rather wet and cold winter compared to prior winters in America. Now the winter is fading away and Spring is upon us. Bringing the potential for strong storms, Spring showers indeed create flowers in May but not before they have laid damage on your property from severe storms such as thunder storms and tornadoes.

A severe thunderstorm can create storm damage in ways that are not similar to the damage from a tornado. When your area is going to be hit with severe storms, understand that the straight-line winds are what can cause damage to your home and surrounding structures. Straight-line winds can snap a tree down from the middle of the truck, whereas tornado winds can uproot the tree.

Mitigation of storm damage from Spring storms starts with evaluation. Are there trees that need to be trimmed down? Does your property tend to hold water that stands on the ground surface more than a couple of days? Do you have loose lawn furniture that needs to be strapped to the ground?

Taking the time to analyze whether or not a Spring Storm would damage your property, helps you to file an appropriate claim with your insurance company if your buildings sustain storm damage. The spring gives you plenty of opportunity to be exposed to storms, so take some time and protect your valuables from the plethora of “what ifs”.

Tornado prong locations are normally flat in surface and the cone of a tornado seeks the flatness to fuel its path. You don’t see tornadoes as much on a mountain, for example. Thunderstorms, however, can strike anywhere and do not depend on the surface for fuel. They blow through and after about 10 minutes, they are gone. They leave behind snapped power poles, broken trees and lines and roof damage of every degree.

Fire Damage

In the previous blog about storm damage in the commercial setting, we talked about the importance of the plenum space and plenum wiring. The main reason we are discussing this now, is so you can be mindful of the damage that an inner wiring fire can cause to your business building. Whether you own a small barber shop in an old building, or you own a high rise in NYC, the issue of preventing fire damage is of significance.

Fire can pulverize everything it touches. Unlike water damage, fire damage is all consuming and can destroy everything in its path. In the home, fire damage can cause smoke that penetrates all fibrous surfaces. The flames can consume wood and fabric within moments. Wire fires start with ripped coating that cause the electricity to trickle out until the flame connects with the wall insulation and starts the flame process.

Older buildings usually do not have protective coatings that would prevent heat from escaping the wiring so if you are in an older building, have an inspector come out and take a look at the wiring inside of the wall space. If the wiring is old, it may be time to replace it or find a new business location. In newer structures, the wires may be sturdier but still not suitable for prevention of an electric fire in the future.

Fire damage inside of a corporate structure can also cause loss of data. Loss of data was an issue that was part of the 911 discussion on how to protect valuable information. If you keep paper files, you need a fire proof box to store those so your paperwork will not be lost. Many CEOs simply save a copy of their electronic documents in a remote place we call “the cloud”, which is a server somewhere outside of the business.

The best way to reduce loss is to have a professional fire damage specialist ready to assist.

Different Types of Storm Damage

Probably the types of damage you would expect from a storm are trees fallen, roofs ripped off or even entire buildings tossed across the community. Tornadoes, hurricanes and flooding all have different degrees of damage they can inflict. Each type of natural disaster can cause many layers of damage to structures, valuables and property.

Sometimes the damage is not seen for months or even years. The damage can go deep into the ground, or up into the tops of trees on your property. Big trees can become uprooted, while small trees can be bent and killed. No matter what type of property you own, home or land, storms can damage it and you will have a financial loss.

An apple farmer for example, depends on his harvest to bring his family income. If a hurricane comes along and damages the tree structure, that is an entire year of income lost. But, if the damage is flooding water, the trees can be killed from the ground level and this farmer doesn’t even know until the next year when no leaves come on the tree, now dead from too much water in the roots.

Another subtle type of storm damage is to the deep parts of the soil where underground streams can be stimulated to become active thus flooding the property and everything on it including a home, outbuilding, dis-attached garage and even vehicles parked on the wet dirt.

When you have just gotten out of a storm, you may look for lightning damage on the roof or walls, but also look for damage elsewhere. The damage to your home from different types of storms can include peeled off shingles, broken roof tiles and trees that split our house in half. Keep abreast of any storms that may be headed your way, and always have a good list of property you own so the damage can be quickly repaired.

Different Types of Storms

One of our concerns is with restoration vs replacement. We believe that something worth saving, is worth protecting and restoring before it is replaced. In recent years, we have seen storm damage to homes and buildings that arise from storm types you may have never encountered.

In 2017, the Hawaiian Islands were it with a blizzard of all things. The weather patterns are shifting and changing with each passing day, and different types of storms are causing unique damage to structures and valuables. Hawaii, for example, is not prone to cold weather of any sort, so freezing temperatures from the blizzard and snow caused tremendous damage to the smaller structures not often exposed to cold temperatures.

Another type of storm which as surfaced over the past decade or so, is a super storm that stops and doesn’t move quickly. The slowness of a traditional thunderstorm can cause as much water damage as form flooding often connected to bigger storms such as hurricanes. When a storm simply stops over your property, a lot of rain can be dropped.

Winter months during weather patterns such as El Nino can bring catastrophic damage to mechanical items such as tractors and lawn mowers. You may have been told to winterize your lawn equipment, but you don’t know what this truly means. When temps drop below zero, the inner workings of machinery can freeze and bust pipes inside. A lawnmower that has not had the gas drained out of it will show you the depth of damage. When the gasoline inside freezes, it swells and as it swells, the machinery starts to pull apart.

So, don’t think that tornadoes, hurricanes and flooding are the only storms that cause damage. Ice and freezing weather can cause damage as well. Remember, any time mother nature gets extreme, it’s time to check over everything.

Storm Damage from Torrential Rain

We have seen an incredible number of storms in 2018. Some of the rain storms we have encountered during this season have not been associated with hurricanes or even thunder storms. In fact, they were simply rain makers where rain clouds just stayed around for an extended amount of time.

This type of rain damage can start at the foundation of the house and have problematic impacts on the roof structure. The weight of rain alone, puts pressure on the roof shingles, and the presence of water for an extended amount of time on the wood of the foundation, begins to erode the fibers of the wood.

You may only think of damage from rain storms as being temporary, and you may only consider storm damage as wind damage or structural damage, but too much rain and there is a problem. For example, when water penetrates the wood of a home’s foundation, it starts to eat inward.

When the water starts to saturate the inner parts of the foundation, it begins to spread. As it’s spreading inward and no longer visible on the outside, another culprit is just behind the water saturation and that is mold. From the top of a home with standard shingles, water begins to trickle into the sheetrock and eventually shows up as a water line on your roof.

As you may suspect, from the top or bottom, too much water for too long can cause very expensive damage. It is important that you contact a water and storm damage specialist in your local area, after a huge rain event if you detect that water has caused a leak in the roof, or saturation in the foundation.

Keep a dehumidifier in your home, office or structure and turn it on after the rain has stopped.

Storm Damage leads to Other Damage

Recently a slew of tornadoes and El-Nino storms ripped across the country, leaving devastation and destruction in its path. Storm damage is very versatile and can happen to many spots on your home or out buildings. From shingles ripping off roofs, to trees being plunged into windows, storm damage is devastating.

Many homeowners don’t recognize the consequences of damage until well after the storms have passed. A ripped shingle may look harmless, and you may think that simply covering it up with plastic will prevent any further damage. This is most likely always NOT the truth. One stream of water for a short amount of time, can lead to mold, and erosion of wood.

When windows are blown out or knocked out by trees, more damage can occur as the result. Trees often fall onto the tops of homes, leaving a gaping hole. Be sure to assess all damage as soon as possible, when a storm passes.

Please visit http://www.SERVPROsouthernbutlercounty.com/.

Storm Damage Creating a Game Plan First

Hurricane Florence followed by Hurricane Michael (2018 Names Hurricanes) left behind destruction of property, loss of life and every type of damage you can imagine. We all know that storms are created to inflict damage, and it seems that we can’t escape this fury. However, when storm damage occurs, and if your home was not protected from this damage, it’s best to get a professional out to your home as soon as possible. Some storm damage can cause complete destruction while other storm damage can be subtle. To totally protect your valuables, it’s a great idea to have a game plan.

In our previous blogs we have discussed this issue and we have given you some ideas on how to plan for what hasn’t happened yet, by look back at what has happened, like the hurricanes Florence and Michael. Florence plowed through North and South Carolina bringing the ocean into residential areas, while Michael sawed a path up and out of the US with blunt force trauma.

If you are in an area where you are 90% sure that a hurricane will, at some point, be a reality, why not go ahead and have a game plan. The same with tornadoes. If you live in an area that has been touched by tornadoes, you can rest assured, another may touch down while you are there.

Planning for a Hurricane – You know that hurricanes bring wind and rain, and it’s safe to assume that if you sustain damage to your home, you will lose your belongings. There are many steps you can take when assuming or planning for a hurricane. First, watch the weather. Second, ensure you have proper sealant around doors and windows before the hurricane. Finally, keep photos and other heirlooms on the top floor of your house by default.

Planning for a Tornado – Tornadoes are very destructive storms that rip through an area like a buzz saw, leaving often nothing but a brief memory of what was there. Some tornadoes, however, simply rip off the roof. To be prepared for a tornado’s damage, the first word of advice is to have a plan, a shelter, or a specified room to go to. If the storm damage includes your roof being taken off, then you will need to be at the lowest floor.

Storm damage comes in many forms, and winter storms are included in this mix.The accumulation of snow on various surfaces can cause damage that seems just as bad.

If your home has been exposed to storm damage, please let our professionals take a look.

You can find more information about SERVPRO at https://www.SERVPROsouthernbutlercounty.com

Storm damage is so common yet we still need to be prepared for the worst.

Storm damage is so common yet we still need to be prepared for the worst.

Hurricane Florence recently left its mark on the Carolinas and reminds us yet again, that mother nature leaves no stone unturned. After a hurricane leaves torrential rains, water rises up to the floors and nothing is immune. Business are usually impacted the worse after a hurricane.

Mold is an issue which always comes up after a business or home has been inundated with water for any amount of time. While mold may be assumed as in the case of water damage in a warmer climate, it may be ignored if someone believes it is too cold in the climate where the water damage occurred.

To help you understand more about mold and what it is, let’s start with a breakdown. Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts: Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors. It is not something that you always see, and in fact, it has a positive role in many areas of the life-experience.

Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet. This is why it’s so important to call an expert remediator in when there has been exposure to moisture for extended periods of time.

Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants. Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas. Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

When you see water present on furniture, the floor, rugs or even the bottom of sheetrock walls, there is a good chance that mold will form. Remediation is the act of not taking any chances and calling a certified mold remediation specialist as soon as you incur water damage.

Storm damage is so common, yet we still need to be prepared for the worst.

Storm damage is so common, yet we still need to be prepared for the worst.

Hurricane Florence recently reminded us that mother nature stops for no-one. Even though we like to think that once a hurricane devastates a particular area, there may be an extensive break for it happens in the same place, Florence proved again that the fury of a hurricane can come to the same place in a fairly short amount of years.

Storm damage from hurricanes range from roof tops stripped off leading to flooding from the top of a structure, to floods and rising waters that completely turn a bottom floor, into a river in a matter of hours. The damage can be catastrophic such as entire structures being pulverized, to minimal, meaning a little water covering many items.

For example, a hail storm can cause damage to the roof, that causes subtle water leaks and in this small amount of water being trapped, the moisture can lead to mold hidden in the attack. Often you will only know the mold is there when you smell an unusual odor. When the rising floods of a hurricane break the boundaries of a wall and floor, the water begins to do its damage at the lower level of the structure, including wood underneath a porch; a spot that is commonly overlooked when it comes to storm damage.

Storm damage can come from high winds that peel off layers of siding on the outside of a home or structure. When enough protective layers of siding and other material, are peeled off, small holes can form, again perhaps leading to the growth of mold in the outer walls.

With Hurricane Florence, the ocean met the shore in a very angry fashion, bringing water into many homes and completely destroying all belongings that were not up high. When you see that a hurricane more than likely is going to be coming near your home or business, being proactive is the best way to avoid storm damage to your valuables.

Put anything you can up higher than a flood would normally rise inside of a structure. Put pictures in air tight storage bags and stick them inside of the dishwasher or fridge. There are many ways to protect your assets from the anger of storm damage, but it’s all up to you.

Storm Damage after a Tornado or Hurricane

Every year, thousands of homes are lost due to major weather conditions such as named Hurricanes and Tornadoes. Some years have been worse than others. Hurricanes cause torrential rains and wind damage, while Tornadoes rip in quickly taking everything with them until it runs out of energy. Either way, storm damage accounts for millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses each year.

Let’s talk first about damage from a tornado, say an F5 that has a base of 1 mile or more and the sustained winds in these types of storms can go over 200 mph, and the velocity is enough to tear down almost any structure in a tornadoes path. If your home is totally taken by a tornado, well, there isn’t much you can do but replace. However, if you are lucky, and your home simply sustains wall or roof damage, then restoration starts immediately.

From a roof ripped off, the rain comes in from the top floor. Much different from torrential rains associated with hurricanes, when the roof comes off, the water comes from the top. Therefore, getting that roof covered with plastic within 24 hours will support you in mitigating too much water damage from the tornado. The same with walls or shattered windows. Any water than comes in will be moving or blowing.

Hurricanes are a different beast. They spin for miles inland and off shore. When a hurricane makes landfall, homes sustain both wind and rain damage, then flooding. Then, more flooding. With hurricane storm damage, the water can come into the home and stay. As you may suspect, when the water stays, the furniture starts to take on water and the damage begins. There is little you can do once the floor becomes covered in water, if you allow too much time to pass.

More damage has occurred to belongings inside of homes that were impacted by flooding inside of the home, than any other means. Mitigation and awareness of what you would do if storm damage occurs, is the best practice when thinking of protecting your belongings from being totally destroyed by storm damage.

We are here to help restore your life when the storms come howling, so write down our information and have it by your bedside. We take your life

Butler County, PA is In For a Warm, Wet Winter In 2018

It’s not quite Winter yet, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared when it comes. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a warm and very wet winter this year for areas of Pennsylvania, including Southern Butler County. While you may think that water damage will only occur from flooding during the summer months, melting snow and wintry rain can be a serious issue, too.

Snow can weigh down on your roof, and eventually cause leaks. If you have a heavy snowfall which then warms and melts, it can get into your house if you don’t take necessary precautions, like keeping your roof clear of snow, leaves, sticks and other debris.

However this year, we are expecting it to be much warmer and wetter than normal. This means more rain (or sleet) and less snow. So, you may have more issues with water damage more typical of the Summer months.

Here are A Few Tips to Keep Your Home Dry This Winter

Keep your roof clear of snow and debris

Clear Snow and Debris from Doorways

Keep a Close Eye on Your Ceilings; Inspect For Leaks

Watch The Weather So You Know When Snow or Rain Will Hit Your Area

In the event that winter weather causes water damage to your home, SERVPRO of Southern Butler County is here to help. Our experts will help you restore your home to the way it was before damage struck.

Our services are designed to restore not only your home, but your peace of mind as well.

If you have experienced recent water damage, give us a call today to see how we can serve your needs.